Electric switch



Jam. 3l, WM R. P. BRuDGEs 2,970,192

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 16, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet l FIM 69- I 21 f3 I3757 l 2% l f6? 22 227 fas fig /33 :laf/5 i0 153| I g 7. |f07 5: I

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fan. 3i, 1961 R. P. BRIDGE-:s

' ELECTRIC SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed June 16, 1958 Jan. T3177, 1961 R.P. BRIDGES 2,970,192

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed June 16, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. P. BRIDGESELECTRIC swITcH Jan'. 31, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 16, 1958ELECTRIC SWITCH Ronald P. Bridges, Centraiia, Mo., assigner to A. B.`Chance Company, Centralia, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed June16, 1958, Ser. No. 742,370

17 Claims. (Cl. Zim- 48) This invention relates to electric switches,and with regard to certain more specic features, to by-pass switches Inited States Patent useful in connection with circuits employing deviceswhich from time to time, for repairs or the like are required to bedisconnected from the circuits and electrically bypassed in a mannersuch that the service of the circuits may be maintained while thedevices are disconnected. Such devices are, for example, groundedvoltage regulators, requiring opening of their connections to groundwhen the switch is yopened and the by-pass connection established.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision ofa by-pass switch of the class described having coplanar pivoted switchblades employing an improved linkage connecting them which iscomparatively easy to operate; the provision of a switch of the classdescribed having an improved by-pass switch component employinghigh-pressure contacts adapted to take high short-circuit 4currentvalues without burning or liability of reopening under the magneticforces involved with high currents; the provision of a switch of theclass described in which said operating linkage is adapted for positiveoperation of the by-pass component as well as of other operatingcomponents; the provision of a switch of the class described havingmeans for disconnecting grounded apparatus to be by-passed, such as avoltage regulator, without excessive arcing; and the provision of aswitch of this class which is adapted to minimize leakage currents andwhich has improved strain insulators between its operating parts. Otherobjects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations ofelements, features of construction, and arrangements of parts which willbe exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope ofwhich will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. l is a left side elevation of the switch in closed position,showing its application to a typical regulator by-pass circuit;

Fig. 2 is a right-side view of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary cross section taken on line 3 3 o-fFig. 2, showing the switch in said closed position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the switch in an unlatchedposition of a irst latch;A

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, showing further advance of theswitch toward open position wherein a seco-nd latch has opened;

Fig. 6 is a right side View of Fig. 2, showing the switch in anintermediate open position beyond the position shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing the switch in completelyopen position;

Figs. 8 andr 9 are oppositely viewed fragmentary trans- Correspondingreference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings.

The invention is an improvement upon constructions such as shown, forexample, in U.S. Patent 2,824,916, dated February 25, 1958.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown atnumeral 1 a supporting bracket adapted to be bolted in position on asuitable support (not shown). Attached to the bracket 1 are insulatorpins 3 on which are cemented insulators 5. Pad members 7 and 8 arecemented to the insulators, respectively.

B'olted to the upper pad member 7 is a conductor casting 9, the holdingbolts being shown at 11. On its lower end it is formed as a bifurcatedtwo-prong main switch contact 13. One prong is shown at 15, the other at17, and the bifurcation at 19. At its upper end the conductor casting 9is formed as a line terminal 21, having bolt holes 23 for acceptingclamp parts (not shown) adapted electrically to connect one side of aline L to the switch.

Between its ends, the conductor casting 9 is formed as a cup 2.5, havinglarge and small open ends. A plan of this cup and its contained parts isshown in Fig. 9. Bolted on curved pads 27 on its inside are opposite,kidney-shaped spring contact members 31, provided at their free inturnedends 33 with silver-button contacts 35. 'The inturned ends 33 are on acircle, thus placing contacts 35 on a circle. Within each contact member31 is a kidney-shaped spring 37, the free ends 39 of which bias radiallyinward the free ends 33 of members 31 and their contacts 35. The holdingbolts for the members 31 and 37 are shown at 41.

At the small open end of cup 25 is formed a shoulder 43, surrounded by aseat 45, adapted to support a tiange 47 on an insulating cup 49composed, for example, of steatite. This steatite cup 49 has a hole 51which slidably accepts a reduced extension 53 of a rod 55. Rod 55,including its extension 53, is composed of strong insulating materialsuch as, for example, resin-impregnated glass fibres, or like stronginsulating material.

Pinned to the rod 55 is a conductive spool 57, composed for example ofcopper, brass, bronze or the like. This spool has a central reducedportion 59 and end shoulders or anges 6.1 and 63. The pin connection isshown at I 67. A compression spring 65 is located in the space be tweenthe shouldered end 63 and the insulating extension 53. This springreacts on the cup 49 and tends to bias the spool 57 out of the cup 25into a position wherein the one shoulder 63 will be forced into tightengagement with the inwardly sprung contact buttons 35. When the spoolis forced into position wherein the shoulder 63 is in the insulating cup49, then contact is broken. The movement of the spool 57 is translatory,i.e., along a straight path established by the center line of the rod55.

At numeral 69 is shown a horseshoe-shaped insulator composed, forexample, of porcelain. This is provided (as shown in Fig. ll) withthreaded sockets 71 for loosely receiving threaded studs 73 which areanchored by thermoplastic or thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resininserted between the threads. Such resin prevents high local stresses.Fibre washers 241 are employed on the sides of the insulator 69 for thesame purpose.

Nuts on one set of studs 73 hold the insulator 59 to the casting 9, andnuts on the other studs 73 hold conother at 137 at the end of the blade.

ductor casting 75 on the other margin of the horseshoeL insulator 69.Since the switch is ordinarily mounted in an upright position, as shown,the open end 73 of the horseshoe-shaped insulator 69 faces down. rIhusthe insulator also operates as fa weather protective hood for the partswithin it, including cup 25. The conductor member 75 is extended up toform a second line terminal 77, in which are openings '79 for thereception of clamp means (not shown) adapted to connect the other linewire of the circuit L.

Within the horseshoe insulator 69, the conductor casting 75 is providedwith a second cup facing the cup 25. This cup is like the cup 25, as arealso the contact parts contained therein, as will appear by comparingFigs. 8 and 9. To avoid circumlocution, such parts have been given thesame numbers as the corresponding parts in cup 25, except that they havebeen primed, including the reference 25, referring to the second cupitself. It is to be noted, however, that there is no insulating cup suchas 49 in the base of cup 25. This base is numbered 31, wherein is anopening 33 in which is an inwardly directed lug S projecting into akeyway S7 in the slidable insulating rod 55. When the rod 55 slides tothe right, the shoulder 61 is adapted to engage the contact buttons 35',It will be apparent that holes 51 and 39 guide the translatory movementof the stepped rod 55, 53 and therefore the translatory movement of thespool 57.

On the outside of the cup bottom 31 the insulating rod 55 has pinned toit a member 39 which has a bridge portion 91 adapted to function as acatch. By its means, under conditions to be described, the assembly ofthe rod 55 and spool 57 may be forcibly pulled to the right, so as toplace the shoulders 63 and 61 in tight springing engagement with theinwardly sprung contact buttons 35 and 35', respectively.

The conductor casting 75 is provided with a twopronged main switchcontact 93, between the two prongs 95 and 97 of which is a bifurcation99. The casting '75 is also formed with an ear 101, in which is anchoreda crosspin 103 for purposes to appear.

Bolted to the lower pad member 3 is a conductor casting 1115 (see bolts1117). This casting 1135 has a downwardly directed extension forming aterminal 1119 in which are openings 111 for attaching clamp means (notshown) to hold in engagement one side of a voltage regulator controlline M. Bolted to the conductor member 105 is an insulator 113 (seebolts 115).

Bolted to the other side of the insulator 113 is a fourth conductormember 117 (see bolts 119). The casting 117 is also provided with lineterminal 123, having openings 125 for receiving clamp means (not shown)for attaching the other side of the circuit M. It will be seen byreference to Fig. 1G that the insulator 113, like insulator 69, isprovided with threaded openings 121 for loosely receiving the threadedbolts 115 or 119, as the case may be, a thermosetting or thermoplasticresin being employed as an anchor filler between the threads, forpreventing any local stressing at the threads upon the porcelain ofwhich the insulator 113 is composed. Here also fibre washers 243 areemployed on both sides of the insulator for the same purpose.

Pivoted at 127 to a clevis 129 is a relatively long main switch blade orarm 131, formed by spaced side bars 133. These converge for somedistance to a region at the free end of the blade, where they areparallel. One spacer in the converging part of the blade is shown at 135and an- A third and ntermediate spacer is shown at 139, the details ofwhich appear in Fig. 12. This spacer 139 is constituted by a bolt 141passing through both sides 133 of the switch blade and through a tubularspacing pillar 143 between the parallel parts of the blades. Under thehead of the bolt on the outside of one blade is a conical washer 145.Under a nut 147 at the other end of the bolt is a conical coil spring148, reacting against the other blade 133. The

-bolt 141 is adapted to enter the bifurcation 99 in contact 93.

Pivoted at 149 to conductor casting 105 is a second and shorter mainswitch blade or arm 151, made up of two sides 153, which converge towardone another for some distance, as shown at 155, beyond which they areparallel. At their parallel ends they are joined by a spacerconstruction 157, which is the same as the spacer construction 139already shown and described and therefore requiring no further writtendescription. Parts of construction 157 corresponding to those ofconstruction 139 are lettered the same, except that they are primed (seeFig. 12).

The parallel portions 153 of lthe short switch blade 151 carry a pivot159 for a linked connection to a pivot 161 on the long blade 131. Thisconnection includes a strain insulator 163, in the ends of which areanchored clevises and 157 for cooperation with the pins 159 and 161,respectively. Preferably, as shown, the centers of the pivots 127, 149,159 and 161 are arranged on the corners of a parallelogram so that, aswill be seen by consulting Figs. l and 7, a parallelogram type of motionis established between the switch blades 131 and 151. However, an exactparallelogram relationship is only preferable and not absolutelynecessary, for any appropriate fourbar linkage arrangement issatisfactory. The term fourbar refers to parts 131, 151, 163 and therigid parts connecting pivots 127 and 149.

When the switch is closed, the parallel-end portions of the short switchblade 151 engage the sides of the prong 15. The bolt 141 of spacerconstruction 157 enters the bifurcation 19, there being also someengagement of the ends of the blade with the other short prong 17. Thespringing action between the sides of the blade 151 effects springingelectrical contact. Under these conditions, the parallel ends of thesides of the long blade 131 also engage the sides of the long prong 95,the spacer 139 entering the bifurcation 99, the resilient meansassociated with the spacer 139 pressing the sides of the blade againstthe sides of the prong 95. There is aiso some lateral engagement betweenadjacent side portions of the blade 131 with the short prong 17. Seatingof the spacer pillar 143 in the bottom of the bifurcation 99 determinesthe switch-closed position.

At the end of the long switch blade 131, between the spacers 137 and139, are provided several catch mechanisms associated with a pryinglever, these being as follows (Figs. 3 5):

A long pivot pin 169 passes through both sides 133 of the long switchblade 131, for pivoting a rocker 171, located between the blade sides.This rocker has at its upper end an eye 173 with which the operating endof a linemans stick is cooperable. The lower end of the rocker 171 isprovided with a lever 175, adapted for prying engagement with the end ofthe prong 97, which latter functions as a fulcrum. The rocker 171carries a transverse stop finger 181 for limiting its rotation withrespect to the sides 133 of the blade 131. it also carries a transverselug 183 for engagement with the bifurcated camming end 185 of a catchfinger 187 which is notched at 182. The finger 137 is pivoted at 189between side members 133 of blade 131. After riding over cam 185, thelug 183 is adapted to engage in the notch 132. The opposite bifurcatedend of the finger 187 is formed with a camming hook 191 adapted to camover and hook on the opposite extending ends of pin 103.

At 177 is shown a second catch finger. This has a clevis portion 179carried on pin 169 and iianking the sides of the rocker 171 but locatedbetween the opposite sides 133 of the switch blade 131. This catchfinger 177 has a camming hook 193 for camming over and hooking thebridge portion 91 attached to the rod 55. Transverse lugs 195, extendingfrom the hook 193, are adapted to engage the sides 133 of the blade 131.The finger 177 is also provided with an extension '1197, havnormas ingtransverse lugs 199. These form additional stops engageable with thesides 133. A lug 201 on tinger 197 is engageable with lost motion bymeans of a lug 203 of lever I175. A tension spring 205 caught betweenholes in lugs on the finger 187 and the clevis portion 179 tends to rockboth catch fingers 177 and 187 anti clockwise (Figs. 1-7) to initialpositions. The lugs 199 determine the initial position of finger 177.Lugs 201i on finger 187, engageable with the sides of blade 131,determine the initial position of linger 187. Coil springs 297, anchoredat the opposite respective ends of the stop finger 181 are wrappedaround the ends of the pivot pin 169 and have their opposite endsanchored to the ends of a. crosspin 2119 which extends from the sides133 of blade 131. These springs bias the rocker 171 anticlockwise (Figs.lv7 and 12).

Mechanical operation is as follows, starting with the position of partsshown in Fig. l. In this position, the switch is in what is hereinreferred to as the closed position, meaning the closed position of themain switch blades 131 and 151, wherein circuit M is connected in serieswith circuit L. In this position the by-pass switch conductor spool 57is in open position relative to contacts 35 and 35 (see Fig. 3). At thistime the hook 191 of finger 187 is behind the pin 103. The hook 193 offinger 177 is under the bridge 91 on the by-pass switch control rod 55.Spacing pillar `143: is seated in the bottom of the bifurcation 99.

In order to open the switch, the hooked end of a linemans stick isinserted into the eye 173 and the eye is pulled, as indicated by theadjacent dart. This causes the rocker 171 to rotate clockwise on pin169. Lug 133 rides out of the notch 182, thus rotating finger 197clockwise. This removes the hook 191 from behind the pin 103. At thistime the switch blade 131 is drawn toward switch-opening position, aswill be seen by comparing Figs. 3 and 4. During this interval, the hook193 of finger 177 remains under the bridge 91 so that, with the aid ofthe spring 65, the rod 55 is moved to the right, thus positively forcingthe shoulders 63 and 61 toward the contact buttons 35 and 35',respectively.

Further pulling on the eye 175 results in a prying action of the lever175 on fulcrum 97, such as is illustrated in Fig. 4. As the lug 183rides from the cam 1%, the finger 187 again assumes its anticlockwiseposition, ready to act as a latch upon the next closing operation whenit occurs. The prying action functions not only to assist in swingingthe blade 131 outward, but also takes up the lost motion between the lug2113 on rocker 171 and the lug 2111 on linger 177 (see Fig. 4). Thuswhen the position of parts is reached shown in Fig. 5, the prying actionhas been substantially completed, the lugs 203 and 261 are engaged andfurther rotation of the rocker 171 causes the linger 177 to be rotatedclockwise (Fig. 5). This removes the hook 19.3 from under the bridge 91.But this occurs only after substantial force has been exerted upon therod 55 by the prying action of the lever `175 on bridge 91 during thetime that hook 193 was engaged therewith. Thus before the hook 193 isreleased from bridge 91, the shoulders 63 and 61 have been forced intofull tight engagement with the contacts 35 and 35. It will be understoodthat while the spring 65 aids in this action, it is the strong pullexerted by the prying action above described that moves the shoulders 63and 61 into tight engagement with the strongly sprung contacts .35 and35'. stood that the latter are strongly biased inward. In any event, atthe time that the full stroke of the rod 55 has been accomplished. (Fig.5), the lever 175 leaves the fulcrum 97 and the hook 193 leaves thebridge 91. Thereafter, further pull to the right on the eye 173 rotatesthe hook 193 clear of the bridge, allowing a fairly free opening swingof the switch blade 131 toward the full-open position (compare Figs. 5and 7).

During the opening movement above described, the

1t will be under-` short switch blade 151, having the parallel-linkageconnection with the long switch blade 131, also moves clockwise. Thedriving motion for this purpose is delivered from switch blade 131 toblade 151 through the insulated driving connecting link constituted byparts 163, 165, 167, compositely forming a drag link between blades 131and 151.

Fig. 6 is a side View of the switch opposite to that of Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5and 7. 1t illustrates an intermediate opening position in which aresilient arcing horn 211 is being sprung and wiped out of a conductivecatch 213 (see also Fig. 13). Catch 213 forms a lateral extension fromthe contact 93, which is in conductive relation thereto (see attachingbolt 221). This catch has a bentover sloping portion 215, forming on itsinside a pocket 217 for reception of the arcing horn 211, and on itsoutside forming a camming surface 219. The horn 211 is carried on blade131, being anchored thereto at 227. In Fig. 6, the end of the arcinghorn 211 is stressed by bending and about to snap out from the pocket217, to be whipped against a resilient rubber pad 223. This pad iscarried on a bracket 225, attached to the side of the long switch blade131. The switch-opening position next succeeding that shown in Fig. 6will result in the arcing horn being snapped to the dotted-line positionshown in said Fig. 6. In further movements of the switch from the Fig. 6to the Fig. 7 position, all electrical Contact is broken between theparts mounted on the upper insulator S and parts mounted on the lowerinsulator 5. But at this time an electrical by-pass connection has beenestablished between the line terminals 21 and 77 by the conductive spool57 in the contacts 35, 35. The open position of the switch, such. asshown in Fig. 7, is determined by contact between iiat end portions 237on blade 151 contacting with ats 239 on casting 1115.

Reclosure of the switch is eiiected by placing the hooked end of thelinemans stick in the eye 173 (Fig. 7) and pushing the switch toward theFig. l position. During this closing movement, the end of the arcinghorn 211 will ride down over outer cam surface 219, ultimately springingagainst the side of the member 213, thus forming a conductiveengagement. lts position at this time is such that when the switch issubsequently reopened, it will move into the pocket 21.7 for snap-actingwith.- drawal, as already described in connection with Fig. 6.

As the switch is further driven toward closed position, the end of theblade 151 will engage with the contact 13. Next the end of the blade 131will engage the contact 93. When such resistance is met with as isassociated with such contact, if not before, the rocker 171 will rotateanticlockwise on the pin 169. This will cause its lug 183 to engage cam165, so as to throw the finger 187 aside, allowing lug 133 to come intoposition in the notch 182. This positions the finger 1817 so that itshook 191 is prepared to ride over the pin 163 in the finally closedposition of the switch. But before this occurs, the hook 193 of finger177 will have ridden over the bridge 91. Since the finger 177 at thistime is free (with the exception of bias of the spring 205; lugs 201 and293 separated), hook 193 rides resiliently over the bridge andintolatched engagement therewith. At this time the sides of the switchblade 131 contact the bridge 91. Upon further movement of the blade 131toward switch-closed position, the rod 55 is forced to remove theshoulders 63 and 61 from the contacts 35 and 35', respectively, due tothe driving connection between parts 91 and 177. This occurs against thereturn bias of spring 65. The openings 51 and 33 in parts 49 and 81 formstraight-line guide means for the by-pass switch plug composed of parts53, 55 and 57. Finally (as indicated in Fig. 3) the hook 191 rides overthe pin 103 to effect a latching engagement therewith, thus holding theswitch in closed position.

Electrical operation occurs as follows:

In the closed position of the switch, as shown in Figs.

i' l-3, the circuit from one side of line L is closed through casting 9,switch blade 151, casting 195, one side of line M, through winding 223Eof voltage regulator 231, the other side of line M, casting 117, switchblade 131, casting 75' and to the o'her side of the line L. Circuit M isgrounded at 235 through winding 233.

Upon initial opening movement of the switch, the terminals of the line Lare electrically connected through castings 9 and 75. ri`his occursthrough spool 57, which at this time has its shoulders 63- and 61 forcedinto er1- gagement with the contacts 35 and 35'. Then the circuits L andM are separated by movement of the switch arms 131 and 151 from thecontacts 93 and 13. At this time (Fig. 6) there still remains anelectrical connection from one side of line L to the regulator 231 asfollows: casting 75, catch 213, arcing horn 211, part of switch blade131, casting 117, one side of line M, winding 233 of regulator 231, andthence to the ground 235. As the switch is pulled further open throughthe Fig. 6 position, this circuit is broken with the snap action abovedescribed, which minimizes any arc. The egulator 231 is then completeiydisconnected but the opposite sides of circuit L have been connectedtogether by what will hereinafter be referred to as the 1tay-pass switchconstituted by the spool 57 and contacts 35, 35 and associated parts.

Upon reclosing the switch, the rst occurrence is to eect a reconnectionbetween the arcing horn 211 and the catch 213. Next, switch blades 151and 131 come into successive engagement with the contacts 13 and 93,respectively. Finally, the by-pass switch 57, 35, 35 is reopened, thusplacing the circuit M in series with circuit L. At this time the arcing7horn 211 is in such position on the side of catch 213 that when theswitch is next reopened it will move into the pocket 217 for subsequentopening snap action.

Advantages of the invention are as follows:

The plug, plunger or bayonet type of by-pass switch 57, 35, 35',positioned perpendicularly to the current paths in line terminals 21 and77 and adapted mechanically to be pulled into closed position when theswitch blades 131 and 151 are pulled open, permits high contactpressures to be used between the contacts 35, 35 and the shoulders 63,61, respectively. ri`hese high pressures minimize burning. Moreover,since the current path through the spool 57 is at right angles to theentering current paths in line terminals 21 and 77, there is only asmall component, if any, of magnetic forces tending to reopen theby-pass switch. When a blade type of bypass switch is used in thislocation, there is a tendency to cause such a switch to reopen inresponse to the magnetic ield established by closing the switch. Thismatter is of substantial importance in the case of switches carryinghigh values of current with which are associated strong magnetic elds.Moreover, the inturned ends 33, 33' of the contact members 31, 31 are ofa nature that inlflowing current of said inturned ends causes theopposite sides of the inturned portions to tend to spring apart underthe magnetic ield thus established. This tends magnetically to drive theContact buttons 35, 35 into strong engagement with the shoulders 63 and61, respectively, as the by-pass switch is closed. However, this rad almagnetic effect is not in the axial direction along rod 55, which wouldtend to open the by-pass switch.

Another advantage of the invention is the construction wherein theswitch blades 131 and 151 are separately pivoted and connected by link163, 165, 167 for conjoint pivoted operation. This is advantageous overconstructions wherein the two blades are rigidly related and carried ona single pivot. The present two-pivot construction olers less resistanceto opening. Moreover, the prying action afforded by the lever 175 onfulcrum 97 provides a substantial mechanical advantage in startingopening operation of the switch blades 131, 151 from the contacts 93 and13, respectively, in addition to providing the mechanical advantage forpulling the by-pass switch 57, 35, 35 into closed position. y

Another advantage lies in the insulating properties of the switch. Thusthe steatite cup located between the open bottom of the conductive cup25 and the spool 57 (in the open position of the latter) guards againstleakage currents across the open by-pass switch when the main switchblades 131 and 151 are closed. The inverted horseshoe shape of theinsulator 69 provides weather protection for the parts of the by-passswitch covered thereby. The resin inlling around the studs in insulators69 and 113 reduces the effect of shock on the insulators. insulator 153is ot the strain type and similar resin-inlled threaded connections arepreferably used between it and the threaded parts of the clevis membersand 167.

4In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

I claim:

1. An electric switch comprising spaced rst and second pairs ofconductive-members each insulated from the others, switch blades each ofwhich is individually pivoted on and conductively connected with one ofthe second pair of conductive members, one blade lying over the otherfor substantially coplanar movements, insulating means operativelypivoted with and connecting said blades for conjoint operation therewithas a pinned linkage wherein the blades move relatively to one anotherwhen they pivot, main contacts on the first pair of insulated conductivemembers adapted to be engaged and disengaged by said switch bladesrespectively, a by-pass switch having means adapted electrically todisconnect and connect the members of said first pair of conductivemembers, actuating means between one of said blades and said by-passswitch means forming a driving connection adapted to open the by-passswitch means when the blades are moved toward closed position, and meansadapted to force the by-pass switch means into position electricallyconnecting the members of said rst pair of conductive members when saidblades are moved toward open position.

2. An electric switch comprising spaced first and second pairs ofconductive members each insulated from the others, a pair of switchblades, each of which is individually pivoted on and conductivelyconnected with a member of the second pair of conductive members, oneblade lying over the other, insulating means operatively pivoted withand connecting said blades for conjoint operation as a pinned linkagewherein the blades are relatively movable, main contacts on the rst pairof insulated conductive members adapted to be engaged and disengaged byfree end portions of said switch blades respectively, a by-pass switchhaving a slidable plug adapted electrically to disconnect and connectthe members of said iirst pair of conductive members, means between oneof said blades and said plug forming a driving connection adapted toopen the by-pass switch when the blades are moved toward closedposition, and means adapted to force the plug of said by-pass switchinto position engaging the members of said first pair of conductivemembers when said blades are moved toward disconnecting position fromsaid contacts.

3. An electric switch according to claim 2, including a straight-lineguide means whereby the movement of the plug occurs substantially alonga straight line.

4. An electric switch according to claim 3, including adjacent lineterminal extensions from said rst pair of conductive means respectively,the straight-line opening and closing movement of the plug of saidby-pass switch aar/oase @i being substantially transverse to the maincurrent paths in said extensions.

5. An electric switch according to claim 4, wherein said switch includescontacts on said insulated conductive members respectively, whichcontacts comprise conductive members having inturned ends sprung in adirection transverse to the direction of movement of said plug, saidends adapted in response to current iiow therein to be magneticallyforced toward the sides of said plug.

6. An electric switch comprising spaced first and second pairs ofconductive members each insulated from the others, a pair of switchblades at least one of which is pivoted, said blades being adapted tomove together into a switch-closing position in which one bladeelectrically connects members of the pairs and the other blade connectsthe other members of the pairs, said blades being movable into aswitch-opening position in which said electrically connected members aredisconnected, a plug-type by-pass switch having contacts connected tothe conductive members of one of said pairs and having a contact plugmeans guided for sliding Itranslatory movement into and out ofengagement with said contacts, said plug means being adapted to bepushed out of engagement with said contacts by at least one of saidblades when the blades are moved into switch-closed positions thereof,latch means connecting said last-named blade with the plug means adaptedto draw the plug into connected position with said contacts when saidblades are moved to switch-open po-sitions, and means adapted to releasesaid latch means when the plug engages its contacts and said bladescontinue their opening movements.

7. An electric switch according to claim 6, wherein both of said bladesare pivoted for motion in substantially the same plane and are connectedby an insulating drag link, one or said blades being shorter than theother and swingable under said slidable plug and the other blade beinglonger and having its end swingable adjacent the one end of saidslidable plug in the region of said latch means between them.

8. An electric switch comprising spaced first and second pairs ofconductive members forming line terminals, each of which members isinsulated from all the others, switch blades pivoted and in conductiveconnection with the members respectively of the second pair ofconductive members, an insulating driving link pivoted to and connectingsaid blades, main switch contacts on the irst pair of insulatedconductive members adapted to be engaged and disengaged by Said pivotedswitch blades respectively, a by-pass switch having by-pass contacts onsaid rst pair of conductive members respectively and having a plugmounted for translatory slidable movement adapted to disconnect andconnect said by-pass contacts, said by-pass switch having an insulatedoperating member connected With the plug, releasable connecting meansbetween one of said blades and said operating member forming a drivingconnection therewith and adapted to open the by-pass switch When themain blades are moved to a position connecting with said main switchcontacts, said releasable connecting means being adapted to draw theplug of said by-pass switch into position electrically connecting theby-pass contacts when said blades are moved into disconnecting positionfrom said main switch contacts, means adapted upon further openingmovement of said blades to release said connecting means, and aninsulator mechanically connecting the iirst pair of conductive membersand forming a cover for the movable plug or" the by-pass switch.

9. An electric switch according to claim 8, wherein the contacts of saidby-pass switch are located in conductive cups under the cover providedby said insulator.

10. An electric switch according to claim 9, wherein one of said cupshas an opening adapted to accommodate outward movement of the plug whenthe by-pass switch is open, and including an insulating cup in theopening and surrounding the portions of said plug which l@ extend fromsaid opening, whereby are minimized the leakage currents across theby-pass switch when it is open.

1l. An electric switch comprising spaced first and second pairs ofconductive members forming line terminals, each of which members isinsulated from all the others, switch blades pivoted and in conductiveconnection with the members respectively of the second pair ofconductive members, an insulating driving link pivoted to and connectingsaid blades, main switch contacts on the first pair of insulatedconductive members adapted to be engaged and disengaged by said pivotedswitch blades respectively, a by-pass switch having by-pass contacts onsaid rst pair of conductive members respectively and having a plugmounted for translatory slidable movement adapted to disconnect andconnect said by-pass contacts, said by-pass switch having an insulatedoperating member connected with the plug, releasable connecting meansbetween one of said blades and said operating member forming a drivingconnection therewith and adapted to open the by-pass switch when themain blades are moved to a position connecting with said main switchcontacts, said releasable connecting means being adapted to draw theplug of said by-pass switch into position electrically connecting theby-pass contacts when said blades are moved into disconnecting positionfrom said main switch contacts, and means adapted upon further openingmovement of said blades to release said connecting means, said by-passcontacts being arranged in radially movable circularly disposed groupsaround the axis of movement of the plug, and said plug being of spoolform adapted to have endwise portions thereof move within saidcircularly disposed groups of contacts respectively.

12. An electric switch comprising spaced iirst and second pairs ofconductive members each insulated from the other, a pair of switchblades, at least one of which is pivoted, said blades being adapted tomove together into a switch-closing position in which one bladeelectrically connects members of the pairs and the other blade connectsthe other members of the pairs, said blades being movable into aswitch-opening position in which said electrically connected members aredisconnected, a by-pass switch having groups of circularly disposedresilient contacts the members of each circularly disposed group ofwhich are in opposed relationship to one another, the groups' beingconnected to the conductive members respectively of one of said pairs,an axially movable conductive spool having conductive flanges, saidspool being guided for movement of said conductive anges into and out ofengagement with surrounding members of said groups of contactsrespectively, driving means between said spool and at least one of saidblades adapted to move said spool axially to push said anges out ofengagement with said contacts upon movement of said blades when theblades are moved into switch-closed positions thereof, and means adaptedaxially to drive the spool to force the anges into connected positionwith said contacts when the blades are moved to switch-open positions.

13. An electric switch comprising spaced rst and second pairs ofconductive members each insulated from the other, a pair of switchblades, at least one of which is pivoted, said blades being adapted tomove together into a switch-closing position in which one bladeelectrically connects members of the pairs and the other blade connectsthe other members of the pairs, said blades being movable into aswitch-opening position in which said electrically connected members aredisconnected, a by-pass switch having spaced groups of circularlydisposed resilient contacts connected to the conductive membersrespectively of one of said pairs, an axially movable conductive spoolhaving radial conductive anges, said spool being axially guided forsubstantially straight-line movement of its anges -into and out ofengagement with each of said groups of contacts, said spool beingadapted to be pushed to move its flanges out of engagement with saidcontacts by at least one of said blades when the blades are moved intoswitchclosed positions thereof, spring means axially disposed relativeto the spool adapted to bias it toward engagement of its flanges withsaid contacts when the switch blades are moved to switch-open positions,and latch means adapted when the switch blades are in switchclosedpositions to lock them in closed positions to maintain said spool inposition to disengage its flanges from said contacts against the actionof said spring means.

14. An electric switch comprising a support, spaced first and secondpairs of conductive members on said support each insulated from theother, a pair of switch blades, one blade lying over and having anextension beyond the other at least one of which blades is pivoted, saidblades being adapted for coplanar movements into a switch-closingposition in which one blade electrically connects members of the pairsand the other blade connects the other members of the pairs, said bladesbeing movabie into. a switch-opening position in which said conductivemembers are disconnected, a by-pass switch having two gronps ofcircularly disposed contacts, said groups being connected respectivelyto conductive members of said first pair opposite said extension, saidbypass switch having an axially movable Conductive spool carryingflanges for movement into and out of engagement with said groups ofcontacts, said contacts of each group springingly engaging said flangesin a direction transverse to spool movements, said spool being adaptedto be pushed out of engagement with said contacts by means connectedwith said blade extension when the blades are moved into switch-closedpositions thereof, latch means connected with said extension adapted topull the spool into engagement of its anges with said contacts when theswitch blades are moved to switchopen positions, a rocker connected withsaid extension adapted when pulled temporarily to react relative to thesupport strongly to force the blades to open positions and the by-passswitch to closed position, said lever after said temporary action beingadapted to release said latch means to disconnect said blades from theby-pass switch as the blades move further to open positions while theby-pass switch remains closed.

15. An electric switch comprising spaced first and second pairs ofconductive members forming line terminals,

each of which members is insulated from all the others, switch bladespivoted and in conductive connection with the members respectively ofthe second pair of conductive i embers, one blade lying over and havingan extension beyond the other, an insulating driving link pivoted toconnecting said blades, main switch contacts on the first pair ofinsulated conductive members adapted to be engaged and disengaged bysaid pivoted ch blades respectively, a by-pass switch having circularlydisposed groups of by-pass contacts on the conductive membersrespectively o said iirst pair and having a conductive spool mounted fortranslatory axial slidabie movement and having iianges adapted todisconnect and connect said by-pass contacts, said by-pass switch havingan insulated operating member connected with the spool, releasableconnecting means between said blade extension and said insulatedoperating member forming a driving connection therewith and adapted toa'ially drive the spool to open the by-pass switch when the main bladesare moved to a position connecting with said main switch contacts, saidreleasable connecting means being adapted to draw the spool of saidby-pass switch into position electrically to connect its flanges withthe bypass contacts when said blades are moved into disconnectingposition from said main switch contacts, a fulcrum, and a rocker pivotedto one of the switch blades adapted to be engaged by an operating tool,said rocher including a lever engageable with the fulcrum and adaptedthereby to pry the switch blades toward open position and to force theby-pass switch toward closed position upon initial opening movements ofthe blades.

16. An electric switch according to claim 15, including lost-motionconnecting means between said rocker and said releasable connectingmeans adapted to effect release after said prying action has beensubstantially completed.

17. An electric switch according to claim 16, including latch meansadapted to latch one of said blades to one of said first pair ofconductive members when the blades are in closed position and adapted tobe unlatched by movement of said rocker before initiation of said pryingaction.

Goldner Apr. 22, 1941 Ortwig Mar. 24, 1959

